The Missouri Reader Vol. 35, Issue 2 | Page 42

  It  is  often  helpful  to  limit  the  amount  of  time  at  centers  to  about  15  minutes  for  the  first  few  weeks;   this  will  prevent  students  from  losing  interest.  It  will  also  allow  the  teacher  time  to  teach  the  children  what  to   do   when   they   complete   an   assigned   task.   It   is   necessary   at   some   point   to   stand   back   and   observe   students   as   they  work;  this  will  allow  the  students  to  gain  independence.  The  most  effective  teachers  only  provide  help   when  students  cannot  solve  problems  amongst  themselves.     Final  Thoughts  to  Consider     The  main  purpose  for  literacy  centers  is  to  allow  the  teacher  ample  time  to  work  with  small  groups  of   children   or   individuals.   Thus   it   is   important   that   the   children   learn   to   work   at   centers   without   interrupting   the   teacher.   This   can   take   up   to   six   full   weeks,   with   the   teacher   gradually   pulling   support   away   from   center   activities.  It  is  important  to  devote  this  time  to  ‘training’  the  students.  Only  after  this  independence  has  been   established   should   small   group   instruction   begin.   Otherwise,   the   teacher   and   the   students   may   become   frustrated  by  the  resulting  chaos.      Once   the   routines   have   been   established,   students   are   successful   in   the   basic   literacy   centers,   and   small  group  instruction  has  been  incorporated  into  the  routine,  teachers  may  want  to  add  additional  centers   to  their  repertoire.  Figure  2  provides  additional  center  ideas  that  may  work  in  the  classroom  as  well.     Figure  1.  Basic  literacy  centers.  (Adapted  from  Ankrum,  2008).   • Writing   Center:   Quite   simply   a   table,   some   chairs,   and   various   supplies   to   write   with   and   write   on.   Markers,   crayons,   colored   pencils,   and   paper   of   all   sizes   can   be   stored   here;   mini-­‐dry CH0